We are turning heads. Severed heads that is. The salon is located on the second floor on Union Street and Buchanan in San Francisco. Mannnequin/Severed heads peaking out at you as you are walking by.

26 amazingly talented stylists was the count for last years heads. Each head a piece of art itself. What an amazing show. With cash prizes and awards 4 beauty schools participating.

This year we would like to also extend the invitation to some of the the best Hair salons in San Francisco to compete as well. Who will win? Who has the passion? Robyn Parish, Placement leader of San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology said” We want to WIN this time!”

I was honored to get a call from Zenzie herself excited to participate again this year.

First Prize was swept away by two thirds of the votes. “Marie Antoinette” who was actually be-headed in real life. A very fitting candidate for a severed head contest. She was done by Loren Laughlin from Miss Marty’s School of Beauty. Loren received a 200.00 Dollar cash prize.

Second Prize was taken by Kate Dewald who entered “Beauty School Drop-out”. We all know and remember “Grease”. This girl is an amazing talent and will not go back to High School! Kate received a 100.00 dollar cash prize.

Third Prize went to Tim Hutton who did Abandon a very majestic biblical figure. Tim, a very talented stylists who knows his worth was the only one to price his exhibition like a true artist.

So, just how does a hairdresser also become an entrepreneur/business owner of a great Hair Salon in San Francisco?

Most people get an education at a reputable business school and then armed with knowledge go out and make their way. In my case it was more of the “School of hard knocks” and “Learn as you earn” kind of philosophy. Some of the lessons where expensive ones and if you asked me, I have paid as much on my education than if I had gone to Berkeley, UCSF, or Stanford.

Having been a salon owner for 5 years the learning curve is much more fun now. However, some things where right out “painful” to learn. Like numbers for example! It took me 3 years to even look at them. Early on, I knew we where in the red. I felt like I was failing! So, in my mind if I did not look at the numbers, I could not be such a failure.

Marketing is another example of not understanding what or why things work. I would love to have the money I have spent on advertising and marketing alone. Then there are contracts, leases to negotiate, endless red tape so the government can keep track of you, problem solving, people skills, and so on. Being a more creative mind, hair-cutting, hair-coloring, party hair. blow-outs, make-up, etc… are super fun for me and super easy. It’s like playing with life-size dolls all day and hanging out with your friends gossiping and having fun. They talk about the right brain, left brain abilities and I have to say there is something to that. Being creative is fun, painless, and exciting. Business on the other hand was a learned skill for me.

After 5 years, I feel much more capable using both sides of my brain…LOL. We are moving full steam forward and remodeling the salon this week for a bigger better Red Union Salon! It takes a lot to keep being “The Best Hair Salon in San Francisco”. We attend hair classes all over the world to keep our skill set fresh. We also have in-house product knowledge classes at least every 3 months ensuring that our stylists are “the best at hair in the bay area”. They do everything with hair from Hair-styling, Hair-cutting, Hair-coloring, Corrective Color, Hi-lights, Low-lights, Party Hair, Perms, Relaxers, Party Styles, Extensions, Weddings, Make-up etc.

I have always felt that art, fashion and music are all part of the whole picture. We have a rotating Art Gallery with Art Openings every other month. I am looking forward to also bringing in the fashion and music in the very near future. Keep your eyes pealed and if you’re in the neighborhood check out our new remodel.

Happy New Year 2009 to everyone and thanks for helping make our hair salon what it is today.